Citizens for Democracy and Human Rights
A new forum is in the offing. Citizens for Democracy and Human Rights (CDHR) is to be launched shortly, aimed at reviving the vision of hope, optimism and possibilities for a better Bangladesh.
Initiators of the forum say that after independence, the objective of the political parties had been to establish democracy, good governance, economic equity and fundamental rights for the citizens of Bangladesh. However, somewhere along the way the political parties failed to carry out their responsibilities and to resolve differences among themselves. This led to the incursion of non-democratic players into state power as well as multifarious problems that gnaw at the country's very existence.
Citizens for Democracy and Human Rights believes that there is no substitute for political leadership in Bangladesh's progress ahead. However, they maintain, that leadership must be more liberal, responsible and infused with democratic values. They say, "Given the existing state of the political set-up in the country, it is imperative for the civil society to also carry out their responsibilities as a palpable force. It must remind the ruling echelon of its constitutional obligations and accountability to the people. As a pressure group, it is the democratic duty of the civil society to proffer intellectual directives in this regard."
In its statement being prepared for the launch, CDHR says that civil society has played significant roles in the past, but under the present day global, regional and national circumstances, its role has become all the more accentuated, the forum members feel. They are committed to uphold the interests of the common and deprived people from a neutral, patriotic and democratic standpoint.
CDHR feels that most of the problems with afflict democracy and good governance today must be analysed on the basis of the constitutional relationship between the people and the state. The government is to act on behalf of the state, but both in the past and in present, the governments fail to do so. The government has failed to provide the people with their basic rights, that is food, shelter, clothing, education and health. The people are deprived of their basic human rights, their rights to lives and livelihood. The initiators of CDHR point to the steep rise in prices, to the failure of the fields of industry, investment and employment, to the corruption and extortion, to the intolerance, the energy crisis and the regional agreements that go against national interest. The political opposition too has failed in its responsibility to hold the government accountable.
CDHR has taken it upon itself to strive to close the gap between the people's hope and aspirations and the political establishment. It is open to views and opinions. It aspires to run its programmes through research, roundtables, seminars, statements along with, if the need so arises, people's hearings, protest rallies and discussions with the government and the opposition. The aim and objective is to establish a democratic, non-communal, welfare-oriented Bangladesh in a position of respect and dignity among the nations of the world.
The following persons are part of Citizens for Democracy and Human Rights to be launched shortly.
01. Barrister Rafiqul Huq (Convenor)
02. SM Akram ( Former MP, recently resigned as Dist AL convenor of Narayanganj)
03. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury*
04. Syed Abul Maqsud
05. Architect Mobasser Hossain
06. Prof. MA Tasleem (Professor of Economics, DU)
07. Prof. Sharifullah Bhuiyan (DU)
08. Syed Manzurul Islam
09. Mahmudur Rahman Manna (Member Secretary)
10. Dr. Moazzem Hossain
11. Dr. Shahdeen Malik
12. Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury (Eye Specialist)
13. Abu Sayeed Khan, Managing Editor, Samakal
14. Mahbub Kamal, journalist, Jugantor
15. Nurul Kabir, Editor, New Age
16. Prof. Piash Karim
17. Dr. Asif Nazrul
18. Ilyas Kanchan, actor and activist
19. Gautam Dewan
20. Mahmuduzzaman Babu, singer
21. Abdullah Al Mamun
22. Asfa Huq Lopa (Wife of Mahi B. Chowdhury)
* Dr. Zafrullah is not likely to be part of this forum, though his name is on the list. He could not be contacted for confirmation
http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=7564
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